Chapter LXVI (66)- Ranking Updates

Roba’s concern about Kizu arriving late to his classes proved to be well founded. Rapidly jumping in small segments across the forest to the academy was the only way he managed to get to Astronomy E on time. He arrived, panting and still in the same clothes from the previous day. Then he collapsed down onto one of the pillow cushions and took in a deep breath. The air tasted of incense.

Moments after his arrival, the lights dimmed as Professor Grove bobbed into the center of the room. Her glow illuminated the students in the front row.

“Welcome all,” she said. “Congratulations on completing your midterm star charts. For the remainder of the semester, we will move into more of the practical uses of astronomy.”

All the students around Kizu perked up and sat up a bit straighter.

“You have a foundation of knowledge,” Professor Grove continued. “Now the stars are open to you. Cosmic events are often reflected by the night skies. We will be studying meanings and interpretations for the remaining eight weeks of the semester. Later in the semester we will also take a field trip north to examine the auroras.”

That took Kizu by surprise. The crone had mentioned auroras off hand on a few different occasions. When exposed to an aurora, a powerful mage with a soul harmonious with the aurora supposedly could gain access to unknown spells and abilities. The type of powers usually reserved for myths. Or so the ancient legends claimed. There was no record of an event like that in half a millennium. But, beyond extraordinarily rare cases like that, occasionally normal mages also had a lesser access to visions and awakenings while exposed to as aurora. Kizu expected the latter was more likely the reason for their class visit.

Kizu obviously hadn’t been the only student to grow up hearing folk tales about the phenomenon because half a dozen different hands rose at once.

“We will discuss the field trip’s details closer to the date of departure. Which, tentatively, should be in one month’s time.”

Then Professor Grove continued on, explaining how to use the stars for fortellings. Unlike normal divinations, astronomy did not give personal accounts, instead dealing more so with those of natural occurrences or large-scale shifts in balance. Using the stars, astronomers saved lives from hurricanes and tsunamis. They also occasionally could discover upcoming larger scale threats such as invasions by other nations or monster incursions from the World Dungeon. Though, predictions in that realm tended to be significantly less accurate. Most commonly, astronomers never understood the signs given and usually disagreed on the meanings until after the event occurred.

“For example,” Professor Grove said. “This comet burned up in the night’s sky a little over a week ago.”

Overhead, a brilliant red ball the size of a fist ripped through the dark. As they watched, it split in half, one side burning a deeper shade of red while the other petered out into nothing as it seemingly dropped from the sky.

“It was centered over the academy, so the belief is that the sign is related to our island. But scholars widely disagree on the meaning.”

“Are we in danger?” one of the students asked.

“Doubtful,” Professor Grove said. “At least, not directly. The comet is a completely different sign from that of any natural disaster. However, there has been an increase in overworld monster activity since then. Personally, I believe the comet was simply warning of that, rather than anything more sinister. Still, monster activity isn’t anything to scoff at. I have asked the academy to tighten the curfew schedule and increase nightly patrols.”

Kizu groaned quietly. He already had enough trouble moving around at night without additional Jameses walking around.

Professor Grove continued her lecture, going over the meanings of comets in the past. Apparently, they usually symbolized a change in life. Astronomers also apparently disagreed about when, alongside what. Evidence showed that the longer the comet appeared in the sky, the closer the event. But measuring exact timings became difficult on a cosmic scale. ‘Soon’ could mean next week or in twenty years. Apparently, in Tross’s capital there was a facility dedicated to recording and collecting astronomical events across the world. While signs for things like natural disasters now had a near flawless interpretation rate, more vague concepts, like what a comet represented, were heavily debated by astronomers and usually only understood after the fact.

When class was dismissed, Kizu had a lot to think about. That had by far been the most informative Astronomy E class to date. And his mind still lingered on it all throughout Music F. He played his scales mindlessly as he considered the new information. It hardly changed his immediate life, but he still wondered at what kind of files existed in Tross. Maybe there was a clue to finding his sister there. The chance was extremely slim, but not completely zero.

“Damn,” Gregor said behind him, causing Kizu to play an off-key. “You’ve really progressed.”

“Not really,” Kizu said, turning toward him. “I can play a couple simple songs and a few scales on the piano. That’s not exactly going to get me out of any fights.”

“But it will get you out of Music F next year. Have you checked your rankings since the midterms? Professor Ignis updated everyone over the weekend.”

Kizu activated his scrying orb and went over his most recent rankings.

Kaga Kizu, third year- Combat- 674, Astronomy- 221, Divination- 171, History- 799, Politics- 799, Rejuvenation and Restoration- 799, Conjuring- 799, Brewing- 1, Alchemy- 799, Music- 712 (piano), Enchanting- 352, Illusion- 96, Elemental- 692.

Kizu’s heart stopped. And not because of the update to his music ranking. But it looked as if Ignis hadn’t been the only professor to update their rankings after the midterm.

He asked his orb to bring up Sene’s rankings.

Kajima Sene, third year- Combat- 1, Astronomy- 1, Divination- 1, History- 1, Politics- 1, Rejuvenation and Restoration- 1, Conjuring- 800, Brewing- 2, Alchemy- 1, Music- 1 (violin), Enchanting- 1, Illusion- 1, Elemental- 1.

He had upset one of Ione’s sister’s top rankings. Sene, who already was a grump on a good day, would be out for blood now. Kizu quickly went over in his mind what his group had presented for their midterm. It hadn’t been anything impressive, just a potion of iron skin. A pretty low level one too that wouldn’t handle anything sharper than a knife’s edge. He had barely paid any attention to it at all.

“Hey, Gregor,” Kizu said.

“What’s up?”

“Do you know Sene Kajima?”

He shrugged. “Not personally. But yeah, everyone does. She’s the unmatched prodigy student. She fights nearly every week down at the combat tests. Pretty entertaining fights too, even if she looks down on most of her opponents.”

“Has anyone ever surpassed one of her rankings before?”

“It happened once in Illusions.” Gregor paused. “That student ended up transferring to an academy in southern Edgeland.”

“Do you know why?”

“Officially, it was for an unrelated family issue. But honestly, nobody bought that. Nobody knows for sure what happened, but most people speculate that Sene hexed him with something that made his life a nightmare.”

Kizu nodded. Growing up the crone had often used him to experiment with new hexes. He probably could deal with anything Sene cooked up, especially with the warning from Gregor.

“Why do you ask? Did someone recently take the first-place spot in something?”

“Knoff moved me to the first rank in Brewing now.”

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“Oh, no.” He gave Kizu a piteous look. “I’m sorry, man. Good luck.”

With a pat on his shoulder, Gregor left him to go bang on some drums. Kizu watched dispassionately as he and Tara competed to see who could bounce the drumstick the highest.

In the afternoon, he sought out Ione in Elemental F. He took a seat on the patch of grass beside where she sunbathed.

“So, your sister,” he started.

“Why are you trying to ruin this beautiful day with such a horrible opener?” Ione said, not even opening her eyes.

“Tomorrow, I have Brewing S with her-”

“That was rhetorical,” she said, cutting him off. “I don’t actually care. And I’m really not in the mood for this conversation.”

Kizu gave up and readied himself for Osaji’s lesson. A few minutes later, the turkey waddled into class, looking the same as ever.

“Welcome to class,” he said. “Today we will be starting with elemental creation. Now that you’ve been practicing manipulation for the last eight weeks, you should all be adequately prepared.”

He raised a wing, and a crest of flames arced over his head. Then he raised the other wing and with a hiss the flames transformed into steam and created a rainbow. When he brought his wings down, a blast of air sent him flying into the air, his rotund, feathered body slicing through the mist. He glided through the air for a few seconds before creating a mound of dirt under his talons.

Several students in the class clapped at the display. Osaji looked down on them from his perch.

“Fire is the easiest of the four basic elements to create. However, it’s also perhaps the most difficult to control. Some philosophers will argue that all four elements are alive and have souls. While I don’t subscribe to that hogwash, I admit fire does have a primal energy to it that constantly craves more. When controlling fire, the first thing you need to do is take into account your surroundings. Fire usage runs out of control easily and extinguishing more than you create becomes exponentially more difficult. If you purposefully light something on fire, don’t expect that you will be able to get rid of it. It’s also important to establish a connection with your flames so as to not let it burn you. As the fire grows, the more difficult the process becomes. Pyromancers who lose control often end up with burns throughout their body. Both internal and external scars."

Standing before them, Professor Osaji burst into a ball of blue flames. Several of the students gasped and took a step away from him.

As the flames spluttered out, Ione looked over her shoulder at him from where she lounged off to the side.

“I always thought you’d smell better cooked,” she said.

There was a tense silence and a couple awkward chuckles. Then Osaji burst out laughing, shocking everyone.

“Girl,” he said, when he finally finished. “One of these days you’re going to be the one who ends up as karaage if you don’t put a bit of effort in.” But surprisingly, his scolding sounded lighthearted.

She shrugged and turned away again.

“As for the rest of you,” Professor Osaji said, his voice turning colder and serious again. “Playing with flames is a quick way to end up with permanent scars that even Professor Kateshi will struggle to heal. So, we will start small.”

He waved a wing and candles appeared in front of each of the students.

“Today, you will light this candle, and then expose your flesh to the flame you produce. If done properly, you won’t even feel the heat, let alone burn.”

Kizu had long since passed this milestone in his training. But by now he knew better than to complain to Osaji about the slow curriculum. He practiced the assignment a few times, going the extra mile to extinguish and relight the candle with a spell each time. But such minor magic gave diminishing returns on increasing his skill power. He eventually started practicing his fire fist spell. He dismissed then resummoned the flames over his hand, wondering about how Professor Osaji had managed to transform his flames blue earlier.

“Kaga Kizu,” Osaji said, waddling up to him while the other students continued to practice. “That is not my instructed lesson.”

“It’s not that far off from it,” Kizu protested. “It’s really the same exercise, just on a slightly larger scale.”

“And with your hand instead of a candle,” Osaji observed dryly. “Regardless, that level of spellwork should be outside of anyone in this class’s skill level. Who taught you it? Roba?”

Kizu blinked in surprise. He supposed it made sense for the other teachers to know about his private tutoring, but he had never really considered it before.

“No. I read about the theory of it in a book. And then I practiced it on my own until I got it down.”

“Self-study is a commendable though dangerous practice. Especially so when involving flames.” Osaji paused, studying him. “How do you plan to use this spell you learned?”

Kizu sighed. “That’s my problem. A few days ago I fought a monster in Hayashi Forest while doing an assignment from the quest board, but my spell was practically useless.”

“Explain the situation.”

Kizu recounted the fight on the abandoned ship with the skeletons, leaving out details about Aoi. When he finished he waited and looked down at the turkey, who had a remarkably pensive look on his face. Kizu hadn’t realized poultry could be so expressive.

“How far have you progressed in Arclight’s classes?” Professor Osaji asked.

“I’m in Combat F.”

The turkey nodded, understanding. “You shouldn’t take on more assignments that involve violence until you advance further. These are dangerous positions for an unskilled fighter.”

Kizu slouched, disappointed. He had hoped for a more helpful piece of advice.

“However,” Osaji continued. “In regard to your current spell. I may not be the fighter I once was, but I can still explain how to use your attack. Your use of the spell is poor. Primarily, a spell like that should be used defensively, to disengage from an enemy’s grapple. It turns the tide and can trap an enemy in a horrible position. It’s best not to show it off until after the enemy already is on you, otherwise you risk scaring it off. Never show all your abilities immediately. You want to keep your enemies on their toes and guessing about what you will use next. Surprise is everything in a fight.”

Kizu considered that, nodding.

“Ione!” Osaji called out.

The girl lazily looked over her shoulder at him.

“Summon a practice zombie.”

She let out a dramatic, exasperated sigh, but did as the professor commanded, sketching in the dirt with a stick. A few moments later, a rotting corpse shambled up to them. As Kizu examined it with his spellsense, he could recognize it as not an undead like on the ship, but a summoned creature meant to mimic the traits of an undead. If he understood soul magic better, he bet he would be able to see the unique differences that tied it to Ione’s soul. But, as it was, those sorts of details were a jumbled mess when he tried to focus on them.

“Have it attack Kaga Kizu here,” Osaji instructed Ione.

While she made no response, besides laying back with her fingers laced behind her head, her summoned creature leapted at Kizu.

As it tackled him off his feet the smell alone almost made Kizu wretch. After hitting the ground, Kizu tried to twist out of its grip, but it kept a firm hold on his uniform. It lacked half its teeth and the remaining ones rotted in its mouth, even still, it still tried to sink those few teeth into Kizu’s neck. Kizu felt a moment of actual fear. The monster wasn’t holding back on him. He tried to create the flames like Osaji had explained. But he tensed up, his fingers gripping the skull of the monster as it snapped its jaw, bearing down on him.

“Focus,” his professor said. “Don’t let fear block your spellcraft.”

Kizu attempted the spell again, but his hand slipped and the monster bit its dull teeth down on Kizu’s thumb. A sickening crack caused his eyes to water as his hand throbbed in pain. Still, nobody else stepped in to help him. He needed to help himself.

He tried to kick the creature off of him, but now that it had his thumb clenched down between its teeth, pushing it away created more pain.

Closing his eyes, Kizu bit down on his tongue and focused on that pain as his mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood. That helped separate his thoughts away from the pain in his hand and reorient himself mentally, separating himself from the fear. Then he let loose, engulfing his hand in flames and lighting up the zombie’s face from the inside. As he opened his eyes again, he witnessed his flames curling out of the eye sockets of the summoned creature, while the eyes themselves melted and dripped down onto Kizu’s face.

Kizu pushed the defeated monster off of him, panting and clutching at his bloody thumb.

A round of applause erupted around him, startling him as he sat up. Looking around, Kizu realized the entire class had stopped their studies to watch.

Osaji ushered them all back to their exercises, but nodded approvingly at Kizu’s performance, his wattle wiggling with the motion.

“Now, do you understand how valuable a spell like that can be in the correct situation?” he asked Kizu. But went back to the other students before Kizu formed a response.

Kizu flopped back down next to Ione’s summoned monster as it slowly disintegrated into flakes of black. He watched as the flakes of goo from the zombie’s fluids disintegrated off his cheek and floated up into the air until they vanished into nothing.